South Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at South Washout, South Carolina. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 0–1ft, 3s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with light S winds.
Mon, May 11: 0–1ft, 12s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with light WSW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 12mph.
Tue, May 12: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor. The sweet spot is around midday — 2-3ft waves, strong NE wind at 20mph, poor - fair conditions. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up. Sea breeze fills back in by mid-afternoon so get on it early.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 11mph from the E.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with moderate NW wind around 9mph.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
South Washout is a mellow beach break on South Carolina's coast that picks up swell from northwestern directions, making it an excellent choice when Atlantic swells wrap around the barrier islands. The sandy bottom and gradual beach slope create forgiving, rolling waves perfect for learning or improving your skills without intensity. This relatively undiscovered spot offers a peaceful surf session with minimal crowds and plenty of room to practice your technique.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at South Washout is 0-1ft with a 2.95s swell period. Wind is S at 12mph and conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at South Washout is 0-1ft, produced by a 0.8ft ESE primary swell at 6s, a 0.5ft SE secondary swell at 13s, a 0.5ft SE tertiary swell at 8s, a 1.6ft SSW wind swell swell at 3s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf South Washout is Tuesday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 3ft waves, a 6.7s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
South Washout works best with a SE swell and NW winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at South Washout. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
South Washout is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. South Washout is a mellow beach break on South Carolina's coast that picks up swell from northwestern directions, making it an excellent choice when Atlantic swells wrap around the barrier islands. The sandy bottom and gradual beach slope create forgiving, rolling waves perfect for learning or improving your skills without intensity. This relatively undiscovered spot offers a peaceful surf session with minimal crowds and plenty of room to practice your technique.
The prime season at South Washout is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at South Washout include occasional strong currents, shallow areas during low tide. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our South Washout forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
